CA signs new broadcast deal with Channel Nine

Sydney:Cricket Australia (CA) has signed a new seven-year broadcasting deal with Channel Nine, which could result in cricket being broadcast live to all major Australian cities from 2006 March.

James Sutherland, CA's chief executive, confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that a deal was imminent, although he added that negotiations were in progress.

"There are some sensitivities which prevent us talking openly about where we are up to in negotiations," Sutherland said. "However, we want to deliver on our customers' needs. They are shareholders of the game and we want to deliver to them."

As of now cricket fans in each host city are allowed to watch only the final session of a day's play, a move that is designed to encourage a greater number of people to fill the grounds instead. The only exception is when the match is a sell-out.

The new arrangement will facilitate coverage of all matches, irrespective of the city to which the viewer belongs.